WEEK

OF

SEPTEMBER 12-16, 2011

CODE ALERT BULLETIN

Brought to you by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and its website The Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN) Welcome to the weekly Code Alert Bulletin designed to share information and support timely participation in state and local activities related to the adoption and implementation of building energy codes. This bulletin highlights immediate opportunities to influence state and local policy outcomes, indicates code status, and recommends contact for action. By promoting these opportunities among energy efficiency supporters, advocates can collectively increase their impact at legislative and regulatory proceedings at the state and local levels. Please forward this bulletin to others who support the advancement of building energy efficiency. If you are aware of activity that should be on this bulletin, or would like to provide feedback, please contact Paul Karrer at (202) 530-4347 or pkarrer@ase.org. For the latest energy code news and BCAP activity, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

* CODE RESOURCES *
BCAP Code Adoption and EPAct Compliance Status Maps Updated (Sept. 2011) SWEEP New Report Reviews Residential Retrofit Programs Offered by Utilities in the Southwest

* EVENTS *
MEEA Regional Energy Codes Conference in Chicago October 5-6 NFRC/EWC Sept. 26 Webinar on Commercial Window Energy Performance Tools and Rating

* NEW STATE ALERTS *

Michigan House Committee Holds Hearing on Length of Code Update Cycle Nevada Energy Office Posts 2009 IECC Rulemaking Schedule Pennsylvania RAC Begins 2012 IECC Update Process

* ONGOING STATE ALERTS *

Alabama October 6 Hearing on Proposed Alabama Energy Code Indiana DHS Posts Residential Code Update Rule; Hearing Sept. 16

* LOCAL ALERTS *
Mesa, AZ City Adopts 2009 IECC, Effective January 2012 Houston, TX City Updates Commercial Energy Code to 2009 IECC

BCAP CODE STATUS MAPS

* CALENDAR * *****

Alert Status: BCAP has updated its state energy code adoption status map and EPAct compliance maps for September 2011. Follow the links below to view the individual maps. More Information: Code Adoption Status: Residential & Commercial | EPAct Compliance: Residential & Commercial Action: Send feedback to Paul Karrer of BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org] Top

SWEEP UTILITY RETROFIT REPORT

Alert Status: SWEEPs new report, A Review of Residential Retrofit Programs Offered by Utilities in the Southwest, is now available. This report examines programs that are offered by twelve electric and gas utilities in the southwest region. These utilities plan to spend nearly $100 million on retrofit programs in 2011. Costs per unit of first year energy savings are as low as $0.05 per kWh for some utilities. Programs implemented by Questar Gas Company and Fort Collins Utilities are highlighted for their flexibility, thoroughness and high energy savings. This report was authored by J.C. Martel, SWEEP Buildings Program Associate. More Information: Report (PDF) | SWEEP Home Action: Send feedback to J.C. Martel of SWEEP [jmartel@swenergy.org] Top

***** MEEA CONFERENCE

Alert Status: The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is hosting the Midwest Regional Building Energy Codes Conference in Chicago on October 5-6. The event will bring together stakeholders from across the Midwest to discuss how best to promote the adoption and raise compliance with building energy codes across the region. The conference will provide an opportunity for stakeholders from various disciplines to meet, network and discuss the various approaches and strategies needed for improved energy codes. RSVP to Michael Hairston at mhairston@mwalliance.org by September 30. The hotel booking deadline for reduced rates at the Palmer House Hilton is September 21. State and Local Code Officials are eligible for reimbursements of up to $750 for lodging, travel, and meals. More Information: BCAP Event Page | Conference Home | Hotel Registration | MEEA Action: RSVP to Michael Hairston at mhairston@mwalliance.org by September 30. Top

NFRC/EWC WEBINAR
Alert Status: Co-hosted by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and the Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) on Monday, September 26 from 1:00pm-2:00pm ET, this webinar covers certified energy ratings and easy-to-use simulation tools that help code

officials and design professionals evaluate the energy performance of commercial window systems. The focus is on the NFRC Component Modeling Approach and the new EWC Faade Design Tool. This webinar is open to all but we particularly encourage design professionals, energy code experts, and industry stakeholders to attend. More Information: REGISTER | BCAP NFRC/EWC Code News | NFRC | EWC Action: For more information, please contact Nils Petermann of EWC [npetermann@ase.org] Top

***** MICHIGAN
Alert Status: On September 14, the House Committee on Regulatory Reform held a hearing on legislation that could significantly hinder future updates of the Michigan Uniform Energy Code (MUEC). Introduced in April, the bill (HB 4561) would extend the time between code update review cycles by the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) Bureau of Construction Codes from three to six years. It would also strike a provision in current state law that allows the code to incorporate the provisions of a code, standard or other material by reference. The 2009 MUEC (based on the 2009 IECC with Michigan amendments and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007) became effective March 9. More Information: BCAP Michigan Code News | HB 4561: Home & Text | 2009 MUEC: Residential & Commercial | Bureau of Construction Codes Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Isaac Elnecave of MEEA [ielnecave@mwalliance.org] Top

NEVADA
Alert Status: The Nevada State Office of Energy (NSOE) has posted draft regulations (LCB File Number R024-11) scheduled dates for the states rulemaking process to adopt the 2009 IECC (as required under NRS 701.220) this fall. NSOE will host two stakeholder meetings in Las Vegas and Reno and three regulation hearings in Las Vegas, Carson City, and Elko. NSOE anticipates having the new regulations finalized and adopted by December 30, 2011, and will be proposing an effective date of July 1, 2012. BCAP has partnered with NSOE and other stakeholders to develop the Nevada Gap Analysis report and 5-Year Strategic Compliance Plan as part of BCAPs CPA Program. The City of Las Vegas has already adopted the Southern Nevada Building Officials (SNBO) 2009 IECC Amendments for Southern Nevada effective July 5. More Information: BCAP Nevada Code News | Draft Regulations | Stakeholder Meetings | Hearings: Vegas Carson City Elko | NSOE | NRS 701.220 | CPA: Gap Analysis Compliance Plan Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Monica Brett with SWEEP [mbrett@swenergy.org] or Jim Meyers with SWEEP [jmeyers@swenergy.org] Top

PENNSYLVANIA
Alert Status: The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Review and Advisory Council (RAC) has begun the process to review the 2012 ICC Codes, including the 2012 IECC, for potential adoption. The timeline for the code update process and the schedule for the three public hearings have been posted online. The first will be held September 15 in Harrisburg.

In April 2011, the state legislature passed legislation (HB 377) significantly altering the process to update the states construction codes (the 2009 I-Codes series, including the 2009 IECC, became effective December 31, 2009). Among the changes: A 2/3 majority of the RAC is now required to approve code change proposals to adopt provisions from the next ICC code series; The RAC would be required to submit a report on any proposed changes within 12 months of the official publication of ICCs triennial code updates; and HB 377 also repealed the residential sprinkler provisions of the 2009 IRC and reverted to the 2006 wall bracing requirements. Interested parties may submit recommendations that the Council NOT adopt code changes from the 2012 ICC codes by the December 31 deadline. Following public hearings in the fall, the Council will meet in January to debate all noncontroversial code changes. The Council will schedule meetings for early 2012 to consider and vote on controversial changes individually based on the overall number of controversial code changes. Those meetings will be organized by code. These proposed changes must receive 2/3 approval from the Council to be included in its final report recommending changes for adoption. This report must be submitted to the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) by July 31, 2012. More Information: BCAP Pennsylvania Code News | Hearing Schedule | Process Timeline | RAC | UCC | HB 377 | PA Code News Archive Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org] or Carolyn Sarno with NEEP [csarno@neep.org] Top

***** ALABAMA
Alert Status: The Alabama Residential and Energy Codes Board has approved proposals for Alabamas first mandatory statewide energy code. On January 25, the Board signed off on a new commercial code based on the 2009 IECC. On April 12, it accepted a recommendation to adopt a new residential energy code based on the 2009 IRC with strengthening amendments that would make it equivalent to the 2009 IECC. In August, the Boards proposals (Rule 305-2-4) were published in the state administrative journal. A public comment hearing will be held on October 6 in Montgomery. The rule then goes before a legislative review committee for 35 days. If approved, the new code is expected to be effective in October or November 2011. Legislation passed in March 2010 the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes (AERC) Board the authority to adopt mandatory residential and commercial energy codes for the entire state and residential building codes for jurisdictions that had not implemented a residential building code prior to March 2010. The state has previously adopted the Residential Energy Code for Alabama (RECA 2004) based on the 2000 IECC as a voluntary code for residential construction. Since December 2008, the 2006 IECC has been encouraged for private commercial construction. The Alabama Building Commission enforces ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 for all state building construction. More Information: BCAP Alabama Code News | Oct. 6 Hearing Notice | Rule 305-2-4 | SB 315 | ADECA Building Energy Efficiency | ADECA Building Energy Codes Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] Top

INDIANA

Alert Status: After winning approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted its rule to update the energy provisions of the 2005 Indiana Residential Code (currently based on the 1992 Model Energy Code) by adopting provisions of Chapter 11 of the 2009 IRC with amendments to make it equivalent to Chapter 4 of the 2009 IECC. Developed by the Residential Code Review Committee, the rule does not propose updates to the non-energy provisions of the states residential code. This rule has proceeded through the states administrative rule review process. The Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission will hold a hearing on September 16 to accept public comments on the rule, which will become effective 30 days after it is published. The state previously updated its commercial energy code incorporating ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, effective May 6, 2010. More Information: BCAP Indiana Code News | Rule: LSA #11-84 | Sept. 16 Hearing | Indiana FPBSC | 2010 Review Committee | Summary of Proposed Code Changes | DOE IRC Ch. 11 Amendments Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Isaac Elnecave of MEEA [ielnecave@mwalliance.org] Top

***** MESA, AZ
Alert Status: On July 14, the Mesa City Council voted to add energy efficiency standards to the Mesa Building Code and Mesa Residential Code. Ordinance No. 5055 added the Mesa Energy Code (based on the 2009 IECC) for residential and commercial construction. The city had previously adopted much of the ICC code series. Chapter 13 of the IBC and Chapter 11 of the IRC have been deleted to reference the Mesa Energy Code, which will be effective January 1, 2012. More Information: BCAP Mesa Code News | Mesa Energy Code | Mesa City Code Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Jim Meyers with SWEEP [jmeyers@swenergy.org] Top

HOUSTON, TX
Alert Status: On August 3, the Houston City Council voted to approve adoption of the new Houston Commercial Energy Conservation Code. This code adoption is in response to the State Energy Conservation Office requirement for Texas municipalities to update their minimum codes to meet or exceed the 2009 IECC. Local amendments will allow commercial projects or multi-family residential projects above three stories to demonstrate compliance with either the 2009 IECC or ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007. This code became effective September 2. The citys residential energy code has been based on the 2006 IECC since January 2009. More Information: BCAP Houston Code News | Houston Commercial Energy Code | 2011 Houston Codes | Houston Code Adoption History Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] Top

EVENTS, HEARINGS,

AND

***** COMMENT DEADLINES

Fri, Sept 16: Indiana DHS public hearing on 2005 Indiana Residential Code update rule LSA #11-84 (2009 IRC) Mon, Sept 26: NFRC/EWC Webinar on Commercial Window Energy Performance Tools and Rating Tues, Sept 27: Nevada Stakeholder meeting on 2009 IECC update in Las Vegas, NV Wed, Sept 28: Nevada Stakeholder meeting on 2009 IECC update in Reno, NV Sat, Oct 1: Vermont 2011 Residential Building Energy Standards (exceeds 2009 IECC) effective Wed-Thur, Oct 5-6: MEEA Midwest Regional Building Energy Codes Conference in Chicago, IL Thur, Oct 6: Alabama ADECA hearing on Alabama Energy and Residential Code (2009 IECC/IRC) in Montgomery Fri, Oct 7: Nevada Regulation hearing on 2009 IECC update in Las Vegas, NV Tues, Oct 18: Nevada Regulation hearing on 2009 IECC update in Carson City, NV Thur, Oct 20: Pennsylvania RAC Hearing on UCC (2012 IECC) update in West Hazelton, PA Tues, Nov 1: Ohio Updated Ohio Building Code (commercial - 2009 IECC/90.12007) effective date Wed-Sun, Nov 2-6: ICC 2012 IGCC Final Action Hearings in Phoenix, AZ Wed, Nov 9: Pennsylvania RAC Hearing on UCC (2012 IECC) update in Cranberry Township, PA Thur, Nov 10: Nevada Regulation hearing on 2009 IECC update in Elko, NV Sun, Jan 1: North Carolina 2012 NC Energy Conservation Code (meets/exceeds 2009 IECC) effective Wed, Feb 1: New Mexico 2009 NM Energy Conservation Code revision (2009 IECC) effective Thur, Mar 1: North Carolina 2012 NC Energy Conservation Code mandatory compliance effective Thur, Mar 15: Florida Anticipated effective date of 2010 Florida Building Code (2009 IECC/ state-based)
Top

BCAP Events Calendar

*****
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